Building on reforms to date
In its first two years in office, the Government has undertaken major reforms across the health and hospital system. It has:
- increased funding for public hospitals;
- targeted key pressure points such as emergency departments and elective surgery;
- commenced training more doctors and nurses; and
- invested in health infrastructure.
Building on past investments
In November 2008, the Government reached a $64 billion agreement with State and Territory governments for health and hospitals funding over five years, a 50 per cent increase compared to previous Australian Government funding for public hospitals.
The agreement included: a $1.1 billion health workforce package; $750 million to take pressure off emergency departments; and $500 million for sub-acute care facilities.
The Government also invested $872 million in preventative health programs for schools, workplaces and local communities with a high incidence of chronic disease.
To help close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous health outcomes, the Australian Government, States and Territories also agreed to invest $1.6 billion in measures to reduce chronic disease in the Indigenous population.
In addition, the Government has invested $600 million in an elective surgery waiting list reduction plan that has already delivered more than 62,000 additional procedures.
And, in the first ever major investment by an Australian Government in health and hospital infrastructure, $3.2 billion was provided in the 2009-10 Budget for 35 infrastructure projects across the country.
Additional Australian Government funding for public hospitals
